22 AUGUST 1925, Page 17

"SPENSER'S WONDERFUL LINE' - '

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

of $penser'squoted (not quite correctly) by a correspondent in your issue of July 4th, will be found in the. Faerie, Queens, Book I., canto xi., verse 45. The Red Cross Knight, after the second day's desperate encounter with the dragon, drew back to avoid its fiery breath :— " It chaunst (eternal! Cod that chaunce did guide)

As he recoyled backward, in the mire His nigh forwearied feeble feet did slide,

And downs he fell, with dread of shame sore terrifide." But he fell close beside the Tree of Life, and the balm that flowed from it so restored, his strength that he slew the dragon' .

on the following day.—I am, Sir, &c., H. CLEmErrr NoTeurr.

The Univer. sity of Stellenbosch, South Africa.